ABS, KSOE and HHI advance battery integration for 16K container ship

ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) completed a joint development project for a high efficiency, 16,000-TEU ultra-large container ship with a battery hybrid system.

ABS last week issued approval in principle (AIP) to KSOE and HD HHI at Posidonia 2026 for the electrical analysis and electrical design of the proposed vessel. ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements.

“This AIP marks another important milestone in our ongoing work with KSOE and HD HHI to advance hybrid electrical systems for large commercial vessels,” said Joshua Divin, ABS Senior Vice President, Marine Business Development. “With safety as our guiding principle, ABS is committed to delivering the technical rigour and industry-leading guidance necessary to meet the deployment challenges these technologies present. We are proud to deepen this collaboration as we work toward a safer, more efficient maritime industry.” 

Byung-Hun Kwon (pictured, right), Executive Vice President and head of the HD KSOE Electrification Center, said: “This achievement underscores our continued progress toward the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 carbon-neutral goal. We remain committed to strengthening the trust of global shipping companies and classification societies through continuous advancements in eco-friendly and high efficiency ship technologies, including battery-integrated solutions across the group.”

In 2025, KSOE and HD HHI received an ABS AIP for the project’s first phase, focused on electric propulsion systems.